AJ Smith-Shawver's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect AJ Smith-Shawver twirled his longest outing of the season on Wednesday when he pitched six innings of shutout baseball, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters. With the Braves in dire need of pitching earlier this season, the 21-year-old made one start for the big league club before suffering a strained oblique which led to a stint on the IL. The righty has made eight starts since coming off the IL in July and it hasn't gone too smoothly, allowing 12 earned runs on 15 hits (six home runs) and 12 walks, although the strikeout total remained stout with 32 Ks in 22 1/3 IP. Hopefully the Braves' second-ranked prospect is rounding into form and will be ready if called upon again down the stretch, but look for his fantasy relevance to reemerge in full force next season.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect AJ Smith-Shawver (oblique) made his first rehab start with High-A Rome on Wednesday. The righty pitched two innings, allowing one earned run on one hit (a home run) and no walks while striking out four batters. The 21-year-old made one start for Atlanta this season before hitting the injured list with an oblique strain. He made five starts (six appearances) last season with the Braves, posting a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and an 11:20 BB:K in 25 1/3 innings. He'll need at least a few more starts before the Braves consider him for the rotation, although he may stay in the minors when he's done with his rehab, but managers in need of pitching help should consider stashing the Braves' top prospect ahead of time if he's on the waiver wire.

Atlanta Braves top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver (oblique) will start his minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Rome on Wednesday. It will be Smith-Shawver's first game action since he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left-oblique strain back in late May. The 21-year-old right-hander made his major-league debut last year and allowed 14 runs (12 earned) on 17 hits (seven homers) while walking 11 and striking out 20 in six appearances (five starts). He made his only appearance for the Braves in 2024 in a start against the Cubs on May 23 and tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings with two free passes and four K's. The Braves could have Smith-Shawver return to the minors when he's past his oblique injury, but whenever he does get another shot in the big-league rotation, fantasy managers should pounce on him if he's available on the waiver wire.